We’ve all been there. You’ve watched everything there is on Netflix, your eyes are tired from scrolling your newsfeed, and even TikTok can get old after the fifth hour in a row. If you’re out of ideas to keep you busy, you‘ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up a list of our favourite free boredom-crushing apps and resources to get you through even the longest day of nothing to do. All you need is a Library membership (which just so happens to be free too. Get it online and start trying these apps right away).Take free music lessonsAlways wanted to learn the guitar? Maybe you want to brush up on your piano-playing skills or learn to sing like Ari. ArtistWorks gives you access to a ton of free music lessons that you can do at your own pace and watch on your computer or smartphone wherever, whenever. Learn a new language Start preparing for that future vacation by learning a new language. Guess who gives you access to Rosetta Stone Library Edition for free? We do. Get started now and you’ll be speaking and reading in no time (maybe you can finally watch that anime without subtitles). Can't find a language you're interested in? Check out the new Transparent Language eResource for more options, including Indigenous languages such as Cree, Dakota, Denesuline, Gwich'in, Oji-Cree, Ojibwe, and more. Borrow a book without getting up from the couch Graphic novels, dystopian futures, high school romances — it's all on TeenBookCloud, and titles are always available with no holds. Now you can start reading or listening to that novel you’ve been meaning to get to without having to track down the physical book or worry about getting food stains on the pages. Do that thing you’ve always wanted to try Is “learn animation” on your bucket list? How about photography, creating YouTube content, or Python? We have an app for that too. Check an item off your dream to-do list by learning a new skill or hobby with LinkedIn Learning for Library. It’s got hundreds of expert-led video tutorials on all kinds of skills and topics (that you get access to for free, because we like learning). Listen to a good bookGive your tired eyes a break from screens and borrow an audiobook from Libby. Just download the free app to your smartphone or iPad and start listening to a book while you’re doing chores, making a snack, or winding down before bed. Find something new to watchSo you’ve already seen everything on Netflix and you’re running out of movie streaming ideas. Have you checked out Kanopy yet? Besides being free, it has tons of movies the other platforms don’t. From indie film festival favourites to popular Oscar-winners, we’re pretty sure you’ll discover a new gem. Start with our librarians’ recommendations of Must-See Movies About Growing Up or documentaries about video gaming and tech culture. Stream and download music for freeFind that perfect bop to dance or sing along to. Listen to ad-free music and download five free songs per week to your smartphone with Freegal Music. They have 15 million songs from over 40,000 labels, so you can grab your headphones and get lost in some good music. Want more free things to do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for other resources like these.Not yet a member? Sign up for your free Library card online and start using it immediately.
Read more about "Stories Seven Boredom-Crushing Ideas for Teens"Last week, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.This national tragedy must be acknowledged.As noted in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the City of Calgary’s White Goose Flying Report, Calgary Public Library has an obligation to share the truth about residential schools and the ongoing, intergenerational trauma they caused.June is National Indigenous History Month, and the Library has planned a range of programs and events. In advance of our opening ceremony on Friday, June 4, we will be sharing information and resources about residential schools on our social media and website. I encourage you to read these materials, ask questions, and learn.We will also be sharing mental wellness and community resources to support those who have been personally impacted by residential schools.Learning the truth is an important first step to healing our community and we hope to honour all residential school victims and their families through this work.Sarah MeilleurInterim CEOLinks and ResourcesHonouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaPublished in 2015, this summary report from the Federal Truth and Reconcilation Commission includes details on the history and legacy of residential schools as well as 94 Calls to Action. White Goose Flying: A Report to Calgary City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth and ReconciliationThe Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee reviewed the 94 Calls to Action from the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission to determine which are actionable by Calgary's municipal government. The results are Calls to Action identified in this White Goose Flying report and include local context and alignments.Indigenous Peoples Atlas of CanadaThis digital resource has Indigenous perspectives shared through maps, artwork, history, and culture. You can find more information about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It was created for Grades 5 and up. Library BooklistsTitles recommended in these lists help continue the conversation around truth and reconciliation.Residential Schools: Books for ChildrenResidential Schools: Books for TeensResidential Schools: Books for AdultsOrange Shirt Day 2020Orange Shirt DayIndigenous Canadian HistorySupport systems and resourcesIndian Residential Schools Crisis Line This phone line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. Call 1-866-925-4419.Elbow River Healing LodgeThe Elbow River Healing Lodge offers a full range of primary care services and visiting specialists to First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit people and their families.
Read more about "Stories Truth and Reconciliation Resources A response to the discovery at the grounds of a previous Kamloops Indian Residential School"A few times a month, Giselle Wong brings the Library directly to others. She’s a long time volunteer with Homebound Readers, a program for people of all ages with mobility or health concerns.The Library program is more than just a book delivery service. “It’s about companionship,” Wong says. The Calgarians she helps are delighted to have fresh books to read and a friendly face to talk to.Wong’s responsibilities include picking up holds or choosing materials, delivering those resources to elderly Library members, and returning their borrowed items. Often, she sticks around for a visit over tea. Wong enjoys those conversations; listening to stories from seniors gives her understanding into another generation, she says.The Homebound Readers program started in 1974, and continues to this day because of volunteers like Wong. Over the past 13 years, Wong has volunteered about 500 hours with the program.Wong works as a library assistant at an elementary school, and says volunteering is another way to share her deep love of libraries with others. That passion started when Wong was a youngster who spent extensive time at a public library in Ontario, learning English as a second language. “Libraries have changed me,” Wong says. “They opened my eyes to the world.”If you are interested in volunteering with the Library, please visit the Volunteers page.
Read more about "Stories Meet our Volunteers: Giselle Wong Giselle brings companionship and books to homebound readers"Enjoy live music, performances, film screenings, and activities for the whole family.
Read more about "Celebrate Stampede at the Library"Join us in the Welcome Gallery or under the Archway to enjoy performances by local country and western musicians.
Read more about "Live Music"Jesse is a visual artist, animator, and filmmaker from Alberta. His practice includes illustration, graphic design, and photography, but his core focus is spray-painted murals. He teaches mural and animation arts across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Read more about "Jesse Gouchey"Exciting young adult novels and graphic novels featuring queer athletes.
Read more about "Be Queer, Do Sports!"Artists, musicians and performers can apply to host workshops and shows at Library locations.
Read more about "Rozsa Arts at the Library"Books on gardening, foraging, and cooking that celebrate traditional Indigenous foods.
Read more about "From the Land to the Table"Join us for tales and stories that will entertain. Demystify the curiosities of the African people by learning about the diversity of nations and cultures from the African...
Read more about "Africa is Not a Country, It’s a Continent - Tales & Storytelling"An interactive workshop that explores non-traditional burial and funeral practices such as natural burial, water cremation, composting, and legacy memorials. These can be creative...
Read more about "Art + Death"Take a personal guided tour through Spotify's artist tools & features. Meet the team and discover your biggest platform.
Read more about "CCMA- Workshop: Spotify Masterclass"If you love musicals, come beat the heat with our summer movies series. Each week we will screen a classic Hollywood musical, starting with 1944’s Cover Girl and ending with the...
Read more about "Summer Movie Series- La La Land"Britain's longest reigning monarch has died at the age of 96.
Read more about "Remembering Queen Elizabeth II"Adult eBooks for gay, straight, cis, trans, queer or questioning readers.
Read more about "Read with Pride"